Alaafin warns Yoruba monarchs against abuse of beaded crowns

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has advised Yoruba monarchs not to abuse the wearing of beaded crowns.
Oba Adeyemi gave the admonition on Saturday at the coronation of Onikoyi of Ikoyi in Osun State, Oba Afeez Badeji Adigun Akinmoyero Akinropo 11.
The paramount ruler described beaded crowns as ‘’the most convert paraphernalia of Yoruba Obaship’’.
According to him, beaded crowns are anointed and so should be sparingly used.
“Wearing of beaded crowns by Yoruba Obas should be used in such a way that will illustrate the distinguish Yoruba etiquette. But nowadays, however, some beaded crowned Yoruba Obas have turned it to object of fashion. There is hardly any difference between the modern traditional
rulers in some parts of Yorubaland who wear beaded crowns to social occasions and theatre artists.
“The dignity of our traditions rests on the values of
our culture, and we must not allow the society we live in nowadays to rob us off of our cherished and valuable cultural values.
“The crown incarnates the intuition of royal ancestral
force, the revelation of great moral insight in the person of the
king, and the glitter of aesthetic experience’’
Finding revealed that among the most spectacular beaded objects from Africa are the crowns of Yoruba Obas in Nigeria.
The crown incarnates the intuition of royal ancestral force, the revelation of great moral insight in the person of the king, and the glitter of aesthetic experience.
Most are cone-shaped, with forms or features built up, then
embellished over the entire surface with beads of vibrant colors.
Beaded Yoruba crowns and other artifacts do not just signify high social status.
 Beads are considered sacred to the Yoruba, and only kings and priests
powerful enough to span the boundary between the secular and the
divine are allowed to wear them.
The crown (or Ade) is the most important object in royal Yoruba
regalia, and the right to wear one is limited to a small number of
kings (Obas) descended from royal families.
 The beaded veil that hangs down from the headdress is an important
part of the crown.
 By covering the king’s face, the veil downplays the king’s identity
as an individual and reinforces his role as divine leader. The veil is
also said to protect onlookers from the king’s powerful gaze.
 It is against chieftaincy law for one who has not been approved  or
is not qualified to wear the crown, hence a rich man is forbidden to
wear crown despite the fact that he can afford as many as his appetite
demands in his wardrobe.
 That is the rule which has survived many generations.
 Obas are not expected to wear their crown every day. This seeming
restriction is recommended to underscore the sacredness of the crown.
This evidence is unique in the Alaafin of Oyo, who does not often
appear with his crown.
The Imperial Majesty, widely acclaimed as Chief Promoter of Yoruba
culture and tradition, is rather seen in a cap called abetiaja, which
sits comfortably on top of his head at both private and public
functions.
The abetiaja has arguably become the Alaafin’s dress code, his identity and signature.
The Alaafin’s act is informed by his better understanding of all that surround the use of the crown.